We could easily blame it on Hawkeye’s vision of her, but is he to blame? Although Captain America agreed, is he to blame?

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, view this clip in which the interviewer starts the interview with the following question, “I have a very serious question to start with about shifting(?) (difficult to make out). Because I know a lot of fans were actually pretty invested in the idea of Natasha with actually either/or, or both of you guys, and now obviously she’s with Bruce. What do you guys make of that?”

A tired and bored-looking Hawkeye replied, “She’s a slut.”

Captain America released a whole-hearty laugh and agreed.

In reality, neither of these superheroes are to blame for the image of Black Widow and the idea she is a slut. They didn’t write the story or the script. They also didn’t write the comics in which Black Widow appeared.

First, who is Black Widow? I went to the Internet to find out because I never enjoyed reading superhero comics.

Wiki states: Natalia “Natasha” Alianovna Romanova is the first character to take on the Black Widow codename in the modern mainstream Marvel Comics. She was created by editor and plotter Stan Lee, scripter Don Rico and artist Don Heck.

Monica Chang-Fury was the second Black Widow in the Ultimate Marvel continuity.

It is revealed that Monica is Asian-American and was Nick Fury’s ex-wife after the marriage fell apart after she discovered that he had been sleeping with various female members of her family and limited social circle, including her own mother.

The slut!

The mud has obviously been flung in the wrong direction. But wait…it’s okay for Nick Fury–a man–to be a slut.

So who is to blame for Black Widow’s relationships with men? The writers: Stan Lee and Don Rico, old farts who obviously thought of women as objects to be commanded. They appear to have little respect for loyalty in relationships.

Who is to blame for the tight, revealing, horrible outfits of this female superhero? Don Heck. I’m sure he’s another old fart who dreams a lot of scantily-clad women.

Which brings me to the reason I didn’t read comics featuring women as superheroes: the outfits insulted my intelligence.

But let’s analyse the slut comment further. Hawkeye’s assumption is wrong because of his ignorant assessment of the relationships and what he deems as ‘crossing the line in a male/female relationship’.

I have watched all the Marvel movies (including Avengers: Age of Ultron last night in theatres) and the Black Widow did not have intimate relationships with either of these fictional superheroes: Hawkeye or Captain America.

The males might have been thinking otherwise, but the truth is, in reality many women have similar relationships with men yet never have sex with them. Just because a women works closely with a man doesn’t mean she should be viewed as attracted to him sexually or with the idea of them being lovers.

The deeper problem is with the writers and artists who create these types of comics and the way they portray women: half-naked, humongous boobs busting out of the seams, ass first. There’s a problem. It’s why I’ve tossed so many comics (and fantasy novels because of their ridiculous covers) down without reading them.

It’s important to remember the slut comment was not made about the actor who played Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson. This comment was related to the relationship between the fictional character Black Widow and Captain America and her and Hawkeye.

Chris Evans (who plays Captain American) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) have issued an apology for their comments. Take it for what it’s worth. The writers for these stories are the ones who should truly apologize. If not for them, Black Widow wouldn’t be viewed in that context in the first place.

The interesting side to this story that seems to be left out is that the interviewer for Digital Spy was a woman. Whatever possessed her to ask such a ridiculous question in the first place? Did she see Black Widow as Hawkeye’s sex partner and Captain America’s bed mate simply because they worked together? Shame on her.

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, film-goers will see that Hawkeye and Black Widow are best friends not lovers. If they were lovers, Hawkeye has a lot of explaining to do…to his wife and three kids.

A good example of gender favouritism is shown in this image. You can read more about this on Comic Beat.

Although I enjoy the movies for what they are worth—mostly for the one-liners—they won’t encourage me to start reading the comics. Future story lines, however, will test my ability to continue watching. I don’t like where they are heading. But that’s another post.

Book 2 in the Castle Keepers Fantasy Series: Bronwyn Darrow is desperate to rescue his daughter Isla from Blackvale Castle. For five long years, he’s travelled Ath-o’Lea searching for her, but the formidable castle remains elusive. He’s surrendered his coveted sergeant’s position at Aruam Castle, but he’s willing to sacrifice everything—even his honour—to bring Isla home. If he fails, his innocent little girl will face a lifetime of slavery.